Slow cooker hints and recipes please

[Justtrying]

So after a long time thinking about it, I’ve finally bought a slow cooker, a 3.5 l crock pot. Having got it home I’m beginning to think I should have bought a bigger one that has a timer but, I’ll play around with this one to get the hang of it.

I normally make casseroles etc in my le creuset, but I’m thinking the slow cooker will use less electricity than having my range cooker on all day.

Have cooked a ham shank to today, that will do tomorrow as shredded ham, and will make pea and ham soup with the stock, probably have to make it in my stockpot due to quantities. I’m wondering if a pan haggerty might also work in the slow cooker.

Can you helpful ladies give me your best slow cooker recipes, and whether or not you pre brown meat and onions?

Many thanks

I made this pork casserole the other day and it was delicious.

[https://www.thekitchn.com/slow-cooker-basil-chicken-in-coconut-curry-sauce-recipe-the-food-charlatan-261093 this] Thai chicken curry is also a winner

I also made a ham shank and stilton pie in the slow cooker (cooked the pie filling, in slow cooker] then transferred to a pie dish, put pastry over the top and finish in the oven. I feel like it was [https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/chicken_and_leek_pie_27675 this] recipe but i didn't use the chicken and added Stilton before putting it in the oven, it was absolutely delicious.

I do brown my meat before i add it. I also have a 3.5 litre and I can easily serve 4 large portions from it with room for extra.

Oh my links didn't work but you can see them to copy and paste

I mostly use mine to cook a whole chicken, it comes out really tender (but a bit anaemic looking, unless you put it in the oven to brown the skin).
A tip from a friend was to put the chicken on a piece of foil because it literally falls apart if you try and lift it out using forks, so you can lift the foil and the chicken stays whole.

i have also done curries and chillies in mine, and made jam too. And gammon in coke.

Macaroni cheese www.myfussyeater.com/slow-cooker-mac-cheese-uk-recipe/
Hotpot www.bbc.com/food/recipes/butternut_squash_and_46813
Tagine www.bbc.com/food/recipes/slow_cooker_chickpea_12414
Chilli www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/slow-cooker-veggie-chilli
Dahl www.bbc.com/food/recipes/slow_cooker_split_pea_93320
Spanish chicken www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/slow-cooker-spanish-chicken

Ooh @ricekrispie22 I have never even thought about mac and cheese.. this could be dangerous!!

Slow cookers are great, just remember very little liquid steams away, so don't add as much water or stock as you would normally, and bear in mind a lot of veg will add more liquid. If the recipe included a tin of tomatoes, I might not add all the tomato juice. You can save it and add it later if you need to.